OpenAI's legacy image generation model supporting generations, edits with masks (inpainting), and variations
Settled by community votes across 13 shared challenges, with an AI judge weighing in on each.
DALL-E 2
15.8
arena score
#59 of 62 in Text-to-Image
Skill signature
· Text-to-Image
Wan 2.6
23.3
arena score
#28 of 62 in Text-to-Image
Top 2 in Image-to-Video
Vote tally
Where the votes landed
DALL-E 2
0.0%
win rate
Ties
0.0%
Wan 2.6
100.0%
win rate
0.0%
0.0% ties
100.0%
Shared challenges
13
Challenge by challenge
The strongest take from each model on every shared challenge, with the AI judge's read.
Geometric Composition
Text-to-Image“A glass cube on a wooden table. Inside the cube is a small blue sphere. On top of the cube sits a red book. A green plant is behind the cube, partially visible through the glass. Soft window light from the left.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + Features a wooden table with good reflections.
- − Completely failed to represent the red book and blue sphere correctly, merging them into an abstract cube.
- − The perspective and composition are muddy and confusing.
- − Object within the cube is red instead of blue, and there is no book.
Wan 2.6
- + Perfect adherence to all spatial and color descriptors in the prompt.
- + High visual quality with realistic lighting and texture on the book and table.
- + Excellent transparency effects showing the plant through the glass cube.
- − The sphere is quite large for being described as 'small', though it fits the cube well.
Verdict: Wan 2.6 followed the prompt perfectly, correctly placing a red book on top of the cube and a blue sphere inside of it, while maintaining high photographic realism. DALL-E 2 failed the spatial reasoning and color assignment completely, resulting in an abstract image that missed almost every specific instruction.
Candid Street Photography
Text-to-Image“A candid street photo of an elderly Japanese man repairing a red bicycle in light rain, reflections on wet pavement, shallow depth of field, 50mm lens, natural skin texture, imperfect framing, motion blur from passing cars, cinematic but realistic, no stylization.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + Strong bokeh and shallow depth of field effects.
- + Effective use of reflections in puddles.
- − Fails to show the subject's face or identity as an 'elderly Japanese man'.
- − Extremely poor composition where the main subject and action are almost entirely obscured.
- − Lack of clear detail in the bicycle or the man.
Wan 2.6
- + Excellent adherence to all prompt elements including ethnicity, age, and activity.
- + Detailed skin texture and realistic water droplets on the jacket.
- + Effective use of background motion blur from the car to convey a street atmosphere.
- − The raindrops on the jacket appear slightly static and solid like plastic beads rather than liquid.
- − Minor perspective issues with the tools on the ground.
Verdict: Wan 2.6 followed the prompt meticulously, capturing a highly detailed, cinematic, and realistic scene of an elderly Japanese man working on a bike in the rain. In contrast, DALL-E 2 produced an abstract and poorly composed image that failed to show the primary subject or the requested action clearly.
Fantasy Warrior
Text-to-Image“Close portrait of a battle-worn paladin in ornate engraved plate armor, hair braided with small beads, faint scars and dirt on the skin, warm torchlight reflecting off metal, shallow depth of field, bokeh sparks, lifelike eyes, highly detailed texture on leather straps and cloth underlayer.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + Successfully captures a weathered, textured appearance on the armor.
- + Includes bokeh elements as requested.
- − Failed to render a coherent face or 'lifelike eyes'.
- − The image is extremely blurry and lacks the requested 'close portrait' detail.
- − Braided hair and beads are not clearly discernible.
Wan 2.6
- + Excellent adherence to all prompt details, including braided hair with beads and ornate engravings.
- + High visual quality with realistic skin textures, scars, and dirt.
- + Interprets warm torchlight and bokeh sparks perfectly.
- − None notable.
Verdict: Wan 2.6 followed every instruction in the prompt with photographic precision, delivering a clear, atmospheric portrait. DALL-E 2 produced a low-quality, abstract image that failed to render a face or the specific textile details requested.
Modern Clean Menu
Text-to-Image“Modern minimalist restaurant menu design, white background with colorful food photos in grid, sections for appetizers/pizza/mains, bold sans-serif fonts, vibrant accents, clean professional layout for casual dining.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + Strong bold sans-serif typography
- + High contrast and minimalist aesthetic
- − Fails to follow the grid layout for food photos
- − The food images are abstract and unappetizingly cropped
- − Lacks defined sections for specific food categories
Wan 2.6
- + Excellent adherence to the requested grid layout with food photos
- + Clear categorization into Appetizers, Pizza, and Mains
- + Professional use of vibrant color accents and legible sans-serif fonts
- − Minor text artifacts and spelling inconsistencies
- − Some repetitive imagery in the food grid
Verdict: Wan 2.6 followed the creative prompt almost perfectly, delivering a functional and aesthetically pleasing restaurant menu design with a clear hierarchy. DALL-E 2 produced a much more abstract, less usable design that ignored the request for a food photo grid and specific menu sections.
Magic Burger Explosion: Fiery Photorealism Challenge
Text-to-Image“Ad for 'Magic Burger'. Dynamic, exploded burger with all components (bun, patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sauce) suspended in mid-air. Emphasize photorealistic detail and a sense of motion. Dark, fiery background with glowing embers. Integrate text: 'MAGIC BURGER' as a prominent title, 'LIMITED TIME ONLY' as a secondary message, and '€6.99' in a starburst, all rendered with a fiery, glowing effect.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + Captures the 'fiery' and 'glowing' aesthetic requested in the prompt
- + Interprets the 'exploded' concept with high energy
- − Text is nonsensical and does not follow the specific required words
- − Lacks photorealistic detail with blurry and distorted textures
- − Fails to include all requested elements like the price starburst
Wan 2.6
- + Perfect adherence to all text requirements including price and secondary message
- + Exceptional photorealistic clarity and detail in the food components
- + Expertly composed with a clear hierarchy and dynamic sense of motion
- − The starburst graphic is a bit more clip-art style compared to the high-detail background
Verdict: Wan 2.6 is the clear winner as it successfully rendered all requested text elements ('MAGIC BURGER', 'LIMITED TIME ONLY', and '€6.99') with perfect spelling and high-quality stylization. In contrast, DALL-E 2 struggled significantly with text legibility and image clarity, resulting in a distorted and messy visual that failed to meet the photorealistic requirement.
Chalkboard Menu
Text-to-Image“Handwritten-style chalkboard menu in a cozy café, all text rendered in the exact same realistic chalk handwriting style with natural variations in letter size, slight slant, and chalk texture — no printed or digital fonts anywhere on the board. Title at the top in elegant cursive chalk handwriting: ‘TODAY’S SPECIALS – APRIL 30, 2026’. Below it, three menu items also in the same handwritten chalk style: ‘Truffle Mushroom Risotto – $24’, ‘Grilled Octopus with Lemon & Herbs – $28’, ‘Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – $9’. At the very bottom, smaller text in the identical handwritten chalk style (slightly smaller but still clearly legible with the same handwriting characteristics): ‘All items made fresh daily • Ask about our gluten-free options’. Warm ambient café lighting, visible chalk dust and smudges, realistic handwriting imperfections, no clean printed text anywhere.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + The image features chalk-like textures on a blackboard background.
- − The text is completely illegible gibberish.
- − The prompt adherence is poor, failing to include specific menu items or the date.
- − The composition is a cramped, low-resolution crop with no environmental context.
Wan 2.6
- + Renders all requested text perfectly with 100% accuracy to the prompt.
- + The chalk texture and handwriting style are highly realistic, including smudges and dust.
- + Excellent atmospheric composition showing the blackboard within a cozy café setting.
- − The 'cursive' style requested for the title is more of a stylized print than true cursive.
Verdict: Wan 2.6 is the clear winner as it successfully rendered every specific text element requested in the prompt with high fidelity and realistic chalk textures. DALL-E 2 failed the challenge entirely, producing illegible 'word salads' and failing to follow any of the structural or content instructions.
The Reversed Rodeo
Text-to-Image“Horse riding astronaut in space — horse on top, not vice versa. Surreal, highly detailed, cinematic.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + Captured the atmosphere of space with a grainy, film-like texture.
- + Better adherence to the 'surreal' aspect of the prompt.
- − Failed the primary logic constraint of having the horse on top of the astronaut.
- − Very low resolution and significant artifacts around the horse's legs and tail.
- − The horse's anatomy is distorted and lacks detail.
Wan 2.6
- + High resolution with excellent cinematic lighting and vibrant nebula effects.
- + Intricate detail on the space suit and horse's bridle.
- + Dramatic composition with a clear sense of motion.
- − Failed the primary logic constraint of having the horse on top of the astronaut.
- − The horse is missing its rear left leg due to a generation error.
- − Conventional interpretation rather than a surreal one.
Verdict: Both DALL-E 2 and Wan 2.6 failed the difficult negative constraint of placing the horse on top of the astronaut, instead defaulting to the common trope of an astronaut riding a horse. Wan 2.6 is the preferred image due to its vastly superior technical quality and cinematic lighting, whereas DALL-E 2 suffered from low resolution and muddy details.
The Capybara Taxi Driver
Text-to-Image“Photorealistic scene inside a yellow New York taxi at night. A capybara is driving, wearing a yellow taxi driver cap and a dark jacket. It has a calm, professional expression and both front paws on the steering wheel. In the back seat sits a human businesswoman in a coat, looking at her phone with a completely normal, bored expression (as if this is just another normal ride). Through the windows you can see the streets of Manhattan at night with blurred lights. Realistic taxi interior, photorealistic, detailed fur and fabric, 35mm lens, night lighting with reflections, shallow depth of field.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
0% wins
0% ties
100% wins
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- − The image is a complete failure and shows a black handbag instead of a taxi scene.
- − There is zero prompt adherence of any kind.
- − The image is low resolution and lacks detail.
Wan 2.6
- + Excellent prompt adherence including the capybara's outfit, facial expression, and steering wheel placement.
- + High visual quality with realistic lighting, textures, and a convincing Manhattan background.
- + Captures the requested 'bored' expression of the passenger perfectly.
- − Minor text artifacts on the taxi rooftop sign.
- − The woman appears to be in the front passenger seat rather than the back seat as requested.
Verdict: DALL-E 2 suffered a catastrophic failure, producing an image of a black handbag that has nothing to do with the prompt. Wan 2.6 followed the prompt almost perfectly, delivering a high-quality, humorous, and photorealistic scene that captured every specific detail requested.
The Halloween Invitation
Text-to-Image“Vintage gothic Halloween party invitation. Dark parchment poster, spooky border with webs and thorns, central glowing jack-o-lantern, bats, twisted trees, moody night sky. Add elegant gothic title text saying "Halloween Party Invitation", a small scroll banner saying "You are invited to a night of frights", and event details at the bottom: Date: 30.10.2026 Time: 7pm Location: The Arches, NYC Spooky but polished, cinematic lighting, square format.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + Captures a genuine vintage, hand-inked aesthetic
- + Moody, dark atmospheric lighting
- − Failed to render all requested text successfully, with many misspellings and illegible areas
- − Lacks several requested elements including the jack-o-lantern and bats
Wan 2.6
- + Near-perfect adherence to all prompt elements including text, banner, and motifs
- + Extremely clear and crisp text rendering
- + Exceptional visual quality and cinematic lighting with high contrast
- − Composition is a bit safe and digital-looking compared to the requested 'vintage' feel
Verdict: Wan 2.6 is the clear winner as it successfully rendered all specific text requirements and visual elements, whereas DALL-E 2 struggled with text legibility and missed multiple core objects like the jack-o-lantern. Wan 2.6 provided a polished, professional-looking invitation that perfectly matches the provided details.
Isometric Miniature Diorama Scenes
Text-to-Image“Create a clear, 45° top-down isometric miniature 3D cartoon scene of Japan's signature dish: sushi, with soft refined textures, realistic PBR materials, gentle lighting, on a small raised diorama base with minimal garnish and plate. Solid light blue background. At top-center: 'JAPAN' in large bold text, 'SUSHI' below it, small flag icon. Perfectly centered, ultra-clean, high-clarity, square format.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + Strong isometric perspective and clean lighting shadows.
- + Vibrant color palette that pops against the background.
- − Failed significantly on text rendering, displaying 'Sush' instead of the requested text.
- − Missing the required 'JAPAN' text and flag icon.
- − The sushi models are abstract and do not resemble realistic or miniature 3D cartoon sushi.
Wan 2.6
- + Perfect adherence to text instructions, including 'JAPAN', 'SUSHI', and the flag icon.
- + Excellent 3D miniature diorama style with soft, refined textures.
- + High visual clarity and a professionally balanced composition.
- − The text is placed as a 2D overlay rather than being integrated into the 3D scene's top center space.
Verdict: Wan 2.6 followed every detail of the prompt, including complex text and iconography, while maintaining a high-quality 3D aesthetic. DALL-E 2 failed to render the text correctly, omitted several prompt elements, and produced unrecognizable food items.
Adorable Baby Animals in Sunny Meadow
Text-to-Image“Hyper-photorealistic scene of fluffy baby animals—a golden retriever puppy, tabby kitten, baby bunny, and red fox kit—with big expressive eyes and ultra-detailed soft fur, playfully chasing butterflies and tumbling together in a lush wildflower meadow, warm golden sunrise light with god rays and dew sparkles, joyful wholesome vibe, 8K masterpiece.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + Successfully included a puppy and a kitten in a grassy environment.
- − Poor image quality with significant artifacts and smudged textures.
- − Failed to render a recognizable fox and bunny, showing only blobs of fur.
- − Anatomy is distorted and butterflies are mangled and non-photorealistic.
Wan 2.6
- + Excellent adherence to the prompt, featuring all four specified animals clearly.
- + High visual quality with detailed fur, realistic lighting, and beautiful god rays.
- + Dynamic and joyful composition with coherent interactions and clear butterflies.
- − The fox kit's proportions are slightly cat-like.
- − Some minor overlapping of animal limbs where they are tumbling together.
Verdict: DALL-E 2 struggled significantly with this prompt, producing a low-resolution image with unrecognizable animal shapes and severe anatomical distortions. In contrast, Wan 2.6 delivered a professional-grade masterpiece that perfectly captured the requested animals, lighting, and whimsical atmosphere. Wan 2.6 is the clear winner for its superior detail, lighting, and prompt adherence.
Vintage Cafe Logo
Text-to-Image“Vintage minimalist restaurant logo for "Caffè Florian", retro cloche dome with steam and "Est. 1720" banner, classic typography, warm brown and cream tones, subtle texture on light background, vector emblem style.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + Successfully uses warm brown and cream tones
- + Captures a minimalist silhouette of a cloche
- − Text is nonsensical and does not follow the prompt
- − Missing the steam element and the Est. 1720 banner
- − Graphic elements are disjointed and distorted
Wan 2.6
- + Excellent prompt adherence including specific name and EST date
- + Clean vector emblem style with professional typography
- + Incorporates all requested elements like steam and banner seamlessly
- − The banner is slightly cut off at the edge of the cloche graphic
Verdict: Wan 2.6 is the clear winner as it perfectly follows all instructions, including rendering complex text correctly. DALL-E 2 fails significantly on the text typography and fails to include several key visual requirements like the steam and the banner.
Apollo 11: Journey to Tranquility
Text-to-Image“Create a clean, modern vector infographic poster about the Apollo 11 mission. NASA-inspired palette (navy, white, muted red, light gray). Flat-vector style, crisp lines, consistent iconography, subtle gradients only. Steps (stop at landing): 1. Launch (Saturn Vicon) 2. Earth Orbit (Earth + orbit ring icon) 3. Translunar (trajectory arc icon) 4. Lunar Orbit (Moon + orbit ring icon) 5. Descent (lunar module descending icon) 6. Landing (lunar module on the surface icon) Small supporting elements (minimal text): • Crew strip: three silhouette icons with only last names: Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins. • Landing site marker: Moon pin labeled "Tranquility" only. Layout constraints: generous margins, large readable labels, clean background with subtle stars. Vector-only, print-poster look, high resolution.”
DALL-E 2
Wan 2.6
AI Judge Analysis
DALL-E 2
- + Successfully adopts a complex technical infographic aesthetic.
- + Integrates several diagrammatic elements and icons as requested.
- + Matches the specific color palette of navy, white, and red.
- − Text is largely nonsensical and illegible (e.g., 'ALLPOO APPLOO').
- − The layout is cluttered and chaotic rather than clean and modern.
Wan 2.6
- + High quality and accurate text rendering for names and title.
- + Clean, modern design with a very professional font choice.
- + Adheres strictly to the requested NASA-inspired color palette.
- − Fails to include the six specific infographic steps requested in the prompt.
- − The visual more closely resembles a poster or towel design than a vector infographic.
Verdict: DALL-E 2 attempts to follow the instruction for a complex infographic layout but fails significantly with nonsensical text and a messy composition. Wan 2.6 produces a much cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing design with perfectly rendered text, though it misses the specific sequential steps requested in the prompt. Wan 2.6 is the preferred model because its output is usable and coherent, while DALL-E 2's output is marred by significant artifacts and garbled text.
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Alibaba's multimodal generation model from the Wan AI suite, supporting text-to-video, image-to-video, reference-to-video with audio, and text-to-image, in both Chinese and English